Honor Flight for World War II, Korean War veterans set for May 18

West Alabama veterans from World War II and the Korean War will travel to Washington, D.C., on May 18 to tour the city’s monuments.

Mark Hughes Cobb | The Tuscaloosa News

By Ken RobertsCity Editor

Published: Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 7:23 p.m.

History books refer to the Korean War as “the forgotten war.”

The purpose of the Tuscaloosa Rotary Honor Flight on May 18 is to remember and salute those who served in that conflict, along with veterans of World War II.

This is the first trip that will include veterans of the Korean War. More than 1.5 million Americans served in the Korean War from 1950-1953. About 36,000 Americans died in the war.

“We don’t want to forget them,” said Jordan Plaster, the chairman of the 15-member committee that organizes the flight. “We want to give them a ­hero’s welcome, because that’s what they deserve.”

The Honor Flight is a one-day plane trip to Washington, D.C., that provides veterans a chance to see the city’s war memorials. Plaster said that for many of the veterans, it’s the first time they have been able to see the memorials to the war they served in.

All meals, transportation and medical assistance are provided.

Plaster said that the previous three trips have given 245 World War II veterans from West Alabama the opportunity to see such sites as the World War II Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Ray Farabee, 86, of Tuscaloosa took part in the first honor flight.

“It’s very impressive,” Farabee said of the trip.

He said he served in the Army infantry and the Signal Corps primarily in the South Pacific during World War II.

Farabee said he was one of the first U.S. troops to set foot on Japanese soil and he served on Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s photographers staff.

He said that seeing the memorials is an important part of the trip, but that receiving thanks from so many people was the most emotionally satisfying part.

“We had a tremendous send-off from Tuscaloosa, with city leaders and families cheering us on at the airport.” Farabee said. “At every point in Washington, there were groups of dignitaries to welcome us. But the best was the random tourists in D.C. who would come up to thank us.

“Everyone, from teenagers and young adults to folks closer to our age would thank us.

“I never thought of myself as a hero, but everyone treated us like one. It was very humbling.

“You never really think of yourself as doing something special because so many people served their country.”

Plaster said the goal is to send about 80 veterans to D.C. this time around and the group is halfway toward meeting the mark.

Here’s the itinerary for theMay 18 trip:

- 5 a.m.-6 a.m.: Arrival at Bama Air Terminal, 4800 Carter Drive.

- 5:30-6:15 a.m.: Boarding.

- 6:30 a.m.: The flight will take off. Breakfast will be served on the plane.

- 9:25 a.m. Eastern time: Arrival at BWI in Baltimore, Md.

- 10:15 a.m.: Depart for WWII memorial.

- 11:15 a.m.: Arrival at WWII Memorial.

- 1:15 p.m.: Depart for Korean, Vietnam and Lincoln memorials. Lunch will be served on the buses.

- 2:45 p.m.: Depart for Iwo Jima Memorial.

-n 3:30 p.m.: Depart for Arlington National Cemetery.

- 3:40 p.m.: Enter the gates of Arlington National Cemetery.

- 4 p.m.: Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

- 4:45 p.m.: Depart for BWI (Baltimore).

- 6:15 p.m.: Depart for Tuscaloosa.

- 7:15 p.m. Central time: Arrival at Bama Air Terminal in Tuscaloosa with a welcome home celebration.

<p>History books refer to the Korean War as “the forgotten war.”</p><p>The purpose of the Tuscaloosa Rotary Honor Flight on May 18 is to remember and salute those who served in that conflict, along with veterans of World War II.</p><p>This is the first trip that will include veterans of the Korean War. More than 1.5 million Americans served in the Korean War from 1950-1953. About 36,000 Americans died in the war.</p><p>“We don't want to forget them,” said Jordan Plaster, the chairman of the 15-member committee that organizes the flight. “We want to give them a ­hero's welcome, because that's what they deserve.”</p><p>The Honor Flight is a one-day plane trip to Washington, D.C., that provides veterans a chance to see the city's war memorials. Plaster said that for many of the veterans, it's the first time they have been able to see the memorials to the war they served in.</p><p>All meals, transportation and medical assistance are provided.</p><p>Plaster said that the previous three trips have given 245 World War II veterans from West Alabama the opportunity to see such sites as the World War II Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.</p><p>Ray Farabee, 86, of Tuscaloosa took part in the first honor flight.</p><p>“It's very impressive,” Farabee said of the trip. </p><p>He said he served in the Army infantry and the Signal Corps primarily in the South Pacific during World War II.</p><p>Farabee said he was one of the first U.S. troops to set foot on Japanese soil and he served on Gen. Douglas MacArthur's photographers staff.</p><p>He said that seeing the memorials is an important part of the trip, but that receiving thanks from so many people was the most emotionally satisfying part.</p><p>“We had a tremendous send-off from Tuscaloosa, with city leaders and families cheering us on at the airport.” Farabee said. “At every point in Washington, there were groups of dignitaries to welcome us. But the best was the random tourists in D.C. who would come up to thank us.</p><p>“Everyone, from teenagers and young adults to folks closer to our age would thank us.</p><p>“I never thought of myself as a hero, but everyone treated us like one. It was very humbling.</p><p>“You never really think of yourself as doing something special because so many people served their country.”</p><p>Plaster said the goal is to send about 80 veterans to D.C. this time around and the group is halfway toward meeting the mark.</p><p>Here's the itinerary for theMay 18 trip:</p><p><b>-</b> 5 a.m.-6 a.m.: Arrival at Bama Air Terminal, 4800 Carter Drive.</p><p><b>-</b> 5:30-6:15 a.m.: Boarding.</p><p><b>-</b> 6:30 a.m.: The flight will take off. Breakfast will be served on the plane.</p><p><b>-</b> 9:25 a.m. Eastern time: Arrival at BWI in Baltimore, Md.</p><p><b>-</b> 10:15 a.m.: Depart for WWII memorial.</p><p><b>-</b> 11:15 a.m.: Arrival at WWII Memorial.</p><p><b>-</b> 1:15 p.m.: Depart for Korean, Vietnam and Lincoln memorials. Lunch will be served on the buses.</p><p><b>-</b> 2:45 p.m.: Depart for Iwo Jima Memorial.</p><p><b>-</b>n 3:30 p.m.: Depart for Arlington National Cemetery.</p><p><b>-</b> 3:40 p.m.: Enter the gates of Arlington National Cemetery.</p><p><b>-</b> 4 p.m.: Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.</p><p><b>-</b> 4:45 p.m.: Depart for BWI (Baltimore).</p><p><b>-</b> 6:15 p.m.: Depart for Tuscaloosa.</p><p><b>-</b> 7:15 p.m. Central time: Arrival at Bama Air Terminal in Tuscaloosa with a welcome home celebration.</p>